I knew something was off when my boss called me into a last-minute meeting. The air in the conference room felt heavier than usual. The small talk was awkward. Then came the words—carefully rehearsed, yet unmistakably final. We have to let you go.
And just like that, I was unemployed.
I left the office with a severance packet, a pit in my stomach, and a million questions. What do I tell my family? How do I pay the mortgage? How long will it take to find another job?
If you’ve been fired, you know the feeling. It’s an unraveling—one moment, you have structure, routine, a paycheck. The next, it’s all gone. But after the initial shock wears off, you have to ask yourself: Now what?
Don’t Panic (At Least, Not Too Much)
Easier said than done, right? Losing your job hits hard—financially, emotionally, even socially. But the first thing to do is take a breath. Your career isn’t over. This is a setback, not the end of the road.
And while it’s tempting to ruminate on everything that went wrong, resist the urge. There’s no benefit in beating yourself up. Instead, focus on what’s next.
Get the Logistics in Order
Once the dust settles, you’ll need to deal with the practical stuff:
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Figure out your final paycheck. Are you owed any unused vacation days? Is there a severance package? Get clarity on what’s coming to you.
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File for unemployment (if you’re eligible). Don’t let pride stop you—this safety net exists for a reason.
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Sort out health insurance. If you had coverage through your job, check how long it lasts or if you need to find other options.
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Ask about references. If your departure was professional, a positive reference could help in your job search.
Feel Your Feelings, But Keep Moving
Getting fired can be a blow to your confidence. It’s okay to be upset—angry, embarrassed, relieved, even—whatever emotions come up, they’re valid. But don’t get stuck in them.
Give yourself a short window to process. Cry, vent, go for a long walk, eat a pint of ice cream. Then shift gears. The sooner you start taking action, the sooner you’ll be back on track.
Craft Your Comeback Story
At some point, a hiring manager will ask, Why did you leave your last job? You’ll need an answer that’s honest but not self-sabotaging.
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Keep it simple. Something like: There were changes in the organization, and my position was eliminated. Or It wasn’t the right fit, and I’m looking for something that better aligns with my skills.
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Stay positive. Even if your last boss was the worst, resist the urge to badmouth them in interviews. Keep it professional.
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Focus on what’s next. Employers care less about why you left and more about what you bring to the table now.
Hit the Reset Button
When I lost my job I felt like a complete failure, but in short order, it soon became a hidden opportunity. Maybe this is the push you needed to pivot into a new career, start that business idea you’ve been sitting on, or finally prioritize your well-being. I had not been let go, I would not be here running LibraryHR today.
Use this time to:
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Update your resume and LinkedIn. Frame your experience in a way that highlights your strengths.
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Tap into your network. Most jobs aren’t posted online—people hire people they know. Reach out, reconnect, and put the word out that you’re looking.
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Build new skills. Take a course, earn a certification, learn something new that makes you even more valuable.
Trust That It Will Get Better
I know that everything may feel uncertain, but the truth is everyone gets knocked down at some point. What matters is how you get back up.
Maybe in a few months, you’ll look back at this as a turning point. Maybe you’ll land a better job, one where you feel more valued. Maybe you’ll realize that losing this job wasn’t the worst thing—it was just the next step in your story.
For now, take it one day at a time. You’ve got this.
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